The claim that the Bible says an age difference between couples is a sin is not supported by Scripture. Nowhere in the Bible is there a specific condemnation of a relationship based on age alone. What the Bible focuses on is the quality of the relationship—love, mutual respect, faithfulness, and a shared commitment to God.
The message of Scripture centers on the depth of the heart and the actions that flow from it, not arbitrary measures like age gaps. What is far more central to the Christian message is the redemptive act of Christ, who bore the weight of humanity’s sin for our salvation. As stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21, God made Christ, who knew no sin, to become sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Pope Benedict XVI described this as a profound moment of divine self-sacrifice, a “turning of God against Himself” for the sake of love. This act demonstrates the radical, boundless love God has, even for those who stand in opposition to Him, as emphasized in Matthew 5:43–48. God’s desire is to engage in a meaningful and transformative dialogue with each person, not simply to exchange superficial or idle words.
The Bible criticizes the kind of chatter that is void of depth, like that of the ancient Athenians described in Acts 17:21, who spent all their time in idle discussions. In our modern context, this can be seen in the constant distraction of media and meaningless online exchanges. Instead of feeding that kind of curiosity, God invites us into something much deeper—an encounter rooted in the paschal mystery of His Son, Jesus Christ. When we place the paschal mystery at the core of our lives, we are called to recognize and empathize with the suffering Christ endured—a suffering that echoes today in the lives of innocent victims of violence, war, and injustice.
From the unborn to the elderly, from environmental degradation to human trafficking, and from systemic poverty to the relentless drive for profit, we see Christ’s crucifixion mirrored in our world. This awareness should awaken compassion and a sense of responsibility within us. As followers of Christ, we are called not to hoard our blessings but to share them. Acts of almsgiving—especially during Lent—are not just charitable deeds, but expressions of our humanity and spiritual growth. When we give, we acknowledge the dignity of others and resist the temptation to isolate ourselves in selfishness. But our efforts shouldn’t stop at individual acts of charity. We must also take a hard look at the economic and social systems that create inequality and suffering.
That is why, from March 26 to 28, a gathering in Assisi has been organized to bring together young economists, business leaders, and innovators to discuss how we might build a fairer and more inclusive economy. The Church has long taught that political involvement, when driven by love and justice, is a profound form of charity—as highlighted by Pope Pius XI. Our role as Christians isn’t just to serve others one-on-one but to transform the world around us by shaping just policies and advocating for systemic change. As we journey through Lent, it’s a time to look inward, to accept God’s invitation to reconciliation, and to renew our commitment to following Christ. We seek the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to guide us and soften our hearts so that we might hear and respond to God’s call. When we truly embrace the paschal mystery, our lives begin to change. We become instruments of peace and love, the salt of the earth and the light of the world, as Jesus calls us to be. It is through this transformation—not through superficial judgments like age differences—that we align ourselves with God’s purpose and radiate His love to a world in need.
